Footwear



Nov. 10, 1970 A. EINSTEIN, JR 3,538,628-

FOOTWEAR Filed Sept. 23, 1968 I mxmm?msxx\\e v INVENTOR. ARTHUR EINSTEIN, Jr.

WWW WW ATTORNfiYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 10, 1970' A. EINSTEIN, JR

FOOTWEAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 23, 1968 5M 6 I F F/GJO INVENTOR. ARTHUR EINSTEIN Jr.

ATTORN YS United States Patent 3,538,628 FOOTWEAR Arthur Einstein, Jr., New York, N.Y., assignor to Lord,

Geller, Federico and Partners, Inc., New York, N.Y.,

a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 761,585 Int. Cl. A43c 13/00 U.S. CI. 36-15 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Diverse footwear portions and means enablingthe selective separable securement therebetween to define diverse combination footwear assemblies, enabling rapid and easy selection, assembly, disassembly and re-arrangement thereof.

This invention relates generally to apparel and, more particularly, to footwear.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a plurality of diverse footwear portions and means enabling selective separable securement therebetween to define diverse combination footwear assemblies, enabling rapid and easy selection, assembly, disassembly and re-arrangement thereof.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is the provision of novel footwear portions constructed and arranged to enable the assembly of novel footwear combinations.

Yet another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of footwear comprising novel sub-assemblies.

Still another primary object of the present invention, in n addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of novel and improved footwear comprising interchangeable portions.

Yet still further, it is another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide novel and improved footwear which may be readily and easily modified to suit varying conditions, moods and styles.

Yet further, it is still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide novel and improved footwear assemblies enabling the packing and carrying of diverse styles of footwear in a minimum of space, at a minimum weight and with minimum expense.

Yet still further, it is another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide novel and improved footwear assemblies having portions thereof which may be readily and easily replaced.

Another and yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of novel and improved means for enabling the selective securement of diverse footwear portions in operative and structural interassoci-ation.

Other objects and important features of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the specification following taken with the drawing, which together describe, disclose, illustrate and show at least one preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention and what is now considered and believed to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of a novel and improved 3,538,628 Patented Nov. 10, 1970 footwear assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational cross-sectional partial view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric illustration of another footwear assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of another footwear portion, namely a sole portion adapted for utilization in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration, similar to FIG. 4, of still another footwear portion, namely, a sandal-type upper, suitable for use with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment or modification of fastening means for utilization with the present invention; and

FIGS. 7-10 are bottom plan views of yet other footwear portions, namely, sole portions, which may be utilized with and form a part of the present invention.

With reference now to the drawing, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown and illustrated a footwear assembly designated generally by the reference character constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and formed by the combination or assembly of a plurality of diverse footwear portions, namely, an upper or foot engaging portion 22 and a lower or sole portion 24 together with means, such as a snap-type fastener element 26 for enabling the selective separable securement therebet-ween.

In accordance with the present invention, the securement means 26 enables rapid and easy assembly and dis- .assembly of the portions 22 and 24 to define the assembly 20. Accordingly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, if either the upper portion 22 or the lower portion 24 becomes unsuitable or otherwise undesirable at any particular time, such portion may be readily removed and a new portion substituted in place thereof. For example, if one of the portions 22 or 24 becomes damaged or worn, that portion may be readily replaced, without the use of tools and 'without requiring any particular skill to accomplish such replacement. By way of further example, such portion may become unsuitable at a particular time, while still remaining generally suitable, that is, as by being an improper style or color to coordinate 'with the remainder of a 'Wearers apparel or for the particular activity which the wearer desires to engage in. Under such conditions, a differing portion may be readily substituted for the portion which is deemed inappropriate, whether such portion be the upper portion 22 or the lower portion 24.

Purely by way of example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the upper portion 24 is shown and illustrated as comprising a generally sporty, plain toed, slip-on type oxford.

Accordingly, the upper portion 22 may comprise a foot covering portion 28 fabricated in a generally conventional manner from substantially any generally conventional material, such as, for example, cloth, leather, plastics, or the like. The foot covering portion 28 may be secured with and extend generally upwardly of an undersole 30, being secured therewith as by an adhesive, stitching, or the like, particularly along the peripheral portions thereof. The undersole 30 may be fabricated of substantially any desired material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like. The upper portion 22 may yet further comprise an inner sole 32 disposed therein in a generally conventional manner. The upper 22 may further comprise any of various other conventional shoe portions, such as a lining, an arch, cushioning, a shank, or the like.

The sole portion 24 may similarly be fabricated of substantially conventional materials and may comprise, for example, a hard rubber, plastic or leather core layer 34 and a plastic, rubber or leather wear surface 36 secured generally subjacent thereof. The sole portion 24 may, in accordance with conventional practice, further comprise various comfort or wear enhancing features such as, for example, shanks, wear plates, lifts, cushions, cleats, grooves, ridges, depressions, or the like, and may be generally stiff or generally resilient, as desired.

The securing means 26 is constructed and arranged to enable the upper portion 22 and the lower portion 24 to be readily, easily and securely structurally associated to define a generally conventionally appearing oxford type shoe, as illustrated. Yet further, the securing or fastening means 26 is also constructed and arranged to enable ready and easy disassociation of the upper and lower portions 22 and 24, respectively, and rapid, simple and easy substitution of other upper and lower portions within the footwear assembly. Accordingly, the fastening or securing means 26 is preferably constructed and arranged to resist relative movement bet-ween the upper and lower portions either transversely or axially of the plane of attachment therebetween. Yet still further, the attaching or securing means 26 may be constructed and arranged to provide 'a maximum securement between the upper and lower portions generally adjacent the peripheries thereof to preclude the presentation of a gap at such cations. The fastening or securing means 26 may provide such securement through a true mechanical latching or may, as illustrated, provide such securement through resilient or biased interengagement of mating male and female components. Furthermore, the male component may extend from either the upper or lower portions with the female component extending inwardly of the other. Yet still further, the fastening means may be arranged in substantially any desired pattern and may have some of the male components extending from the upper portion and some from the lower portion. For example, the securement means 26 may comprise a plurality of stud members 38 having enlarged head portions 40 depending from the upper portion 30 with the core portion 34 of the lower portion 24 being provided with mating apertures 42. As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, the studs 38 and apertures 42 may be arranged in a pattern whereby most of the studs and apertures are generally adjacent the periphery with a relatively small number thereof disposed generally interiorly thereof. Accordingly, even during flexing of the assembly, the upper and lower portions 22 and 24 would remain secured together. The studs 38 may be secured with the undersole 30 in substantially any desired manner, as by means of rivet-like flanges 44 and 46 extending outwardly thereof and gripping or clamping the undersole 30 therebetween.

The studs 38 and the mating apertures 42 may be utilized alone to provide securement of the upper and lower portions 22 and 24 together. However, for more secure fastening, the studs 3-81 and mating apertures 42 may be utilized primarily to provide lateral resistance to shifting and may be augmented or supplemented by auxiliary holding means such as, by way of example, VELCRO- type fastening layers 47 and 49 (generally known as a hook-pile fabric) structurally associated, as by means of an adhesive, stitching, or the like, with the undersole 30 and core 34, respectively. The auxiliary holding means also resists relative movement between upper and lower portions of said footwear, both transversely and axially of the plane of attachment.

As heretofore pointed out, the present invention enables rapid and easy substitution of various and diverse upper portions and lower portions to enable the assembly of various and diverse footwear assemblies or combinations. Accordingly, there may be provided many and diverse sole portions to enable the assembly or construction of footwear assembly or shoes particularly adapted for walking, driving, hunting, skiing, yachting,

golf, tennis, bowling, working, dancing, 'loafing, and just for kicks, and the like. Yet further, there may be provided various and diverse upper portions of differing colors, styles, materials, and the like, of a slip-on type, lace-type, oxford-type, moccasin-type, boot-type, sandaltype, and the like. Accordingly, in FIG. 3 there is shown and illustrated the upper portion 22. heretofore described in detail associated with a ripple sole 48 similar in structure to the dress or oxford type sole 24 heretofore described. Yet further, in FIG. 4 there is shown and illustrated yet another sole portion designated generally by the reference character 50 provided with golf spikes 52, or the like, enabling the assembly or construction of a golf shoe utilizing, for example, the upper portion 22.

Yet still further, in FIG. 5 there is shown and illustrated yet still another footwear assembly comprising a strap or sandal-type upper designated generally by the reference character 54 having a generally flat portion 56 and a plurality of straps 58 for securing the same on a wearers foot. The assembly 60 shown and illustrated in FIG. 5 further comprises a casual type cushion or crepe sole portion 62 which may be utilized, for example, with the upper portion 54 or with the upper portion 22.

The upper and lower portions may be secured together generally by snap-type action as heretofore disclosed or may be secured together by a sliding type interengagement as would be provided, for example, by interengaging tongue portions 38' and having enlarged head portions, provided on the upper portion 22' and lower portion 24 as shown and illustrated in FIG. 6. Yet further, the interengaging tongue portions 38 and 40' may be utilized to enable snap fit and to preclude lateral relative motion the portions 22. and 24' being provided with auxiliary means such as VELCRO-type layers 48 and respectively.

Yet still further, sole or lower portions may be constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention which differ not only in functional features but may also be provided comprising diverse ornamental features. For example, and with reference now to FIGS. 7-10 there are shown and illustrated various lower portions designated 24a-24d, inclusive, provided with various ornamental features, namely, paisleys, skull and cross bones, footprint and tire tread design, respectively. These various design features may be imprinted, integrally molded, or may be relieved, i.e., embossed or otherwise physically formed on the respective sole portions in three dimensions and having depth to leave distinctive footprints, in use. Yet still further, sole ornamentations such as those shown and illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, inclusive, may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as permanent parts of generally conventional shoe structures and, if desired, the ornamentation utilized may also appear on the interior or innersole of the shoe or footwear assembly either permanently imprinted thereon or removably adapted to be inserted therein.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of certain preferred embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Foot-wear comprising, in combination, an upper portion, including a sole portion, and a replaceable lower thread portion, said upper portion constructed and arranged to at least partially encompass a wearers foot, said lower thread portion being detachably fixedly secured and held in juxtaposition to said sole portion by separable fastener means having an enlarged head portion and auxiliary holding means of a hook-pile fabric disposed between and about said separable fastener means and said separable fastener means and said auxiliary holding means being positioned on said sole portion and on said lower thread portion.

'2. Footwear defined in claim 1 wherein said securement means comprises male separable fastener means extending generally outwardly of one of said portions and female separable fastener means adapted to mate therewith extending generally inwardly of another of said portions.

3. Footwear defined in claim 2 wherein said male separable fastener means extends generally downwardly of said upper portion.

4. Footwear assembly defined in claim 3 wherein said male separable fastener means comprises at least one stud member having an enlarged head portion.

5. Footwear defined in claim 1 wherein said separable fastener means comprises interengageable rib portions having a dove-tail shape.

6. Footwear assembly defined in claim 2 wherein said separalble fastener means comprises members disposed generally peripherally of said upper and lower portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,041,185 10/1912 Spitz et a1. 36--15 2,151,341 '3/1939 Vestergren 3615 2,258,265 10/1941 Schwartz 3642 X 2,707,341 5/1955 Romano. 2,754,598 7/1956 Aull 361 3,099,8 84 8/1963 Kixmiller et al. 3,402,485 9/1968 McMorrow 36--32 X FOREIGN ,PATENTS 10,754 of 1886 Great Britain. 23,401 of 1905 Great Britain. 266, 627 2/ 1950 Switzerland.

20 ALFRED R. GUEST, Primary Examiner 

